Order Strigiformes Genus Glaucidium | Phylum Chordata Family Strigidae Scientific name Glaucidium tephronotum Rank Species | |
Similar Sjöstedt's barred owlet, Albertine owlet, Yungas pygmy owl, Central American pygmy owl, Tamaulipas pygmy owl | ||
The red-chested owlet (Glaucidium tephronotum) is a species of owl in the family Strigidae from the rain forests of lowland western Africa. Its habits and behaviour are poorly known.
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Description
The red-chested owlet is a very small owl, which has a light grey facial disc with whitish markings and short white eyebrows. The head and neck are dark grey and the back and wings are sooty brown. The long tail has three faint bars, the upper breast and flanks have a reddish-brown wash, while the remainder of the underparts are whitish with rufous streaks on the side of the belly. The iris and bill are yellow. Length is 14 cm (5.5 in) and wingspan is 35 cm (14 in).
Voice
The call of the red-chested owlet is a series up to 20 high pitched whistling notes.
Distribution, subspecies and habitat
There are currently three recognised subspecies of red-chested owlet:
The red-chested owlet inhabits primary rain forest and a mosaic of forest and scrub, as well as clearings and forest edges. It ranges up to 2,150 m (7,050 ft) above sea level.
Habits
The red-chested owlet is mainly nocturnal but will hunt and call on overcast afternoons, roosts in cavities in trees during the day. The main food is insects such as beetles, mantises, grasshoppers, moths and cockroaches, as well as small mammals and birds. Its breeding behaviour is almost unknown but it is thought to nest in the old nesting cavities created by woodpeckers or barbets.
Conservation status
According to the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List, the conservation status of the red-chested owlet is of "least concern," as the population is believed to be stable and has a sizable range.
